Two weeks later
New York had a rhythm of its own, pulsing with energy that neither slept nor softened. The horns of taxis echoed in harmony with the chatter of morning crowds. Glenn Peterson stepped out from the sleek black car that had delivered him from JFK International, adjusting his black gloves as he looked up at the modern glass tower of Frost Enterprises. He was alone this time, Had it been more easy if he travel via portal. However, Illyana suddenly said something came up in Limbo that she got to deal with so Glenn came alone.
The building shimmered under the morning sun like a polished blade, a beacon of corporate success nestled in Midtown.
He exhaled lightly and walked forward.
Inside the lobby, sleek marble floors reflected overhead lights like ice while some video play on a monitor screen highlighting the company's achievements.
Executives and assistants moved with practiced urgency. The moment Glenn entered, the receptionist's fingers froze mid-keystroke. Eyes followed him. Tall, composed, and dressed in his usual black gentleman suit with a blood-red tie, Glenn moved with the poise of someone who didn't belong in the background.
Standing in the center of the lobby was Emma Frost. The former White Queen of the Hellfire Club involved in politics and high influential people.
She wore a white tailored coat over a fitted dress, heels clicking sharply on the tiles. Her platinum blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, framing her immaculate features. When her eyes landed on Glenn, something flickered in them. There was a relief, surprise and a sliver of annoyance.
Once again, she tried to pry and get into his head just to get a tiny chance of reversal in their situation. After all, she always like to be in control. Yet, she was disappointed and immediately halt her attempt when he heard the man's voice.
"Don't try to that if I were you. The last psychic who entered my mind was still regretting it until now. I left a good fond 'memories' that are hard to forget."
"You're late," she said as an excuse to divert the topic while her arms crossed.
Glenn smirked as he approached. "Traffic? Time zones, Existential dread or physical needs. Just pick your excuse."
Emma arched a brow. "You told me you'd be here by nine."
"It's 9:04," he replied, checking his wristwatch with exaggerated drama. "I didn't know you were a time-freak compulsive. Four minutes? Really?"
A nearby intern nudged another employee and whispered, "Is that her fiancé or something?"
"No, idiot. Probably an investor. You don't get a lobby greeting from the Ice Queen unless you're royalty or rich."
Emma, ignoring the stares, turned briskly. "Let's go. We'll talk upstairs."
They ascended the elevator in silence. Soft jazz played 'top of the world' through hidden speakers. Glenn glanced at her briefly.
"Carpenters fan?"
Emma just respond with a scoff.
"I got to say, you've earned by respect, Emma. You've build a remarkable company." he said at last.
Emma's posture softened ever so slightly but her voice tinged with pride.
"We made smart decisions. Cut what didn't work. Expanded in tech and biotech."
"We? YOU made smart decisions," Glenn corrected. "Let's not pretend. I'm just a name on a signature. You've built this empire with your own two hands. These was always been yours and will always be."
She glanced at him with ddoubtl, "I thought you wanted this company."
He shrugged. "Nah, what I want is you actually. It just so happens that these are part of the package. Besides, I only said it so I could keep you beside me and the wolves off your door. You have so much more potential than you always thought. It would be a pity if you disappear just like that that's why I kept you alive."
The elevator dinged.
Her office was sleek—steel, white, and glass—overlooking the expanse of Midtown Manhattan. Inside, the atmosphere was cooled to precision, everything placed with obsessive elegance.
Emma moved to her desk while Glenn remained standing near the window, gazing out over the city. At this time, she wanted to be honest.
"I was worried," she said suddenly, her voice quieter.
He turned, "Worried?"
"That once I've spent my value, you'll get rid of me too. You slaughtered us like animals in the farm. We were helpless. I thought we could easily defeat anyone. We've had it while we were fighting the X-Men and other organizations."
"Perhaps it just so happens that I have the element of surprise and the perfect tool to deal with you guys. Thank god I had a habit of looting."
She gave a sigh, one hand tracing a file on her desk, "I thought about you. More than I wanted to."
Glenn walked toward the chair across from her desk but didn't sit. "Gosh, I'm flattered. Is this a confession? I've got to inform you that my priority right now is career. I'm for fling though—oops! Temper!"
Before he could finish his sentence, he calmly dodged a sharp projectile hurling into him. He didn't sense any malice or killing intent so he didn't take it to heart.
Emma snorted as she slowly put down the floating spinning fountain pens.
Glenn on the other hand became serious before finally saying his true goal beyond the visit.
"Actually, I've come to invite you."
Emma blinked. "Invite me?"
"I'm building a team. Selective, capable, and trusted. I'm finding a group of people with similar mindset as me. People who acts with a certain price to something with meaning."
"Like a hero team?"
"Hero? Nah, heroes die for free. We don't. Our goal is to do things that doesn't hurt ordinary people but not for free. We charge like uhh.. A hero for hire."
"So there's a price if clients wanted us to move. Why? Isn't it more conventional where people with great power like us, saves the day in the end."
"Wow, you sound like some middle-aged guy I know named Ben. Anyway, we don't do conventional things. Moral kidnapping doesn't work on me. We're following the law of equivalent exchange. Everything has a price except John Wick's car."
"Who's John Wick?"
"Doesn't matter. The point is, i know how ordinary people think. If there's no price involve, they will start to demand something for us and if they don't get what they want, they'll just put the blame on us. Moreover, people in positions of power will think that we can do whatever we want and wreck havoc. But, if we hold the principle of getting hired with a price, at least those fools will think they are putting us on a leash with the so called 'price'."
"You've always been one of the smartest people I know, Emma. I need someone I can trust when things get complicated. Financially. Logistically. You've been doing that already for years—just unofficially."
Her lips parted slightly. She was quiet for a long beat.
"And you're asking me now, officially?"
Glenn nodded.
Then he added, voice low and serious, "If you accept, I'll protect you. From the government. From your enemies. From the ghosts of the Hellfire Club. You'll be under my wing—and no one touches what I protect. I will even drag you out of hell if the situation calls it."
Emma stared at him. Her thoughts whirled.
It had been years since she felt unsure. Not since her days leading the Hellfire Club, where she commanded fear and respect in equal measure. Back then, she was the diamond queen, untouchable and unwavering. But Glenn wasn't like the pawns and predators she'd played with.
He had slaughtered them.
The memory was a stain she couldn't scrub from her mind. Despite her mental mastery, that vision would rise unbidden in the quietest hours: Glenn, moving like a ghost through the hall, eliminating each threat with clinical brutality. Her telepathy hadn't helped. If anything, it had magnified the experience—she could feel the screams before they even left the mouths of her former colleagues. And all the while, Glenn's mind remained shrouded. A fog she couldn't penetrate. It terrified her and fascinated her at the same time.
Even now, with him across the desk, she felt a pressure under her ribs she hadn't known in years.
She wanted to resist him. To refuse.
But she couldn't. She was too aware of the danger out there. Of the government's shifting allegiances. Of the vultures waiting for her to slip. Glenn was offering protection. A place at the table again. But this time, he sat at the head.
She nodded slowly. "Then I'm in."
He smiled, "Wise girl."
Then the television on her wall flickered.
Emma turned toward it.
The newscaster's voice filled the room. "...a developing situation at Culver University. Reports are coming in of a massive disturbance involving what witnesses describe as a monster. The National Guard has been dispatched. Civilians are being evacuated."
The footage showed helicopters, fire, and shadows too large to belong to any human. Trees torn from roots. Crushed vehicles. A figure—hulking, green, massive—emerging from smoke.
Emma narrowed her eyes.
Glenn stood again, face impassive.
"So..it was this time, huh." he muttered.
Emma crossed her arms. "Do you know what it is?"
"Maybe," Glenn replied. "Don't worry about it. It doesn't concern us. For now. "
He turned away from the screen for a moment and looked back at her. "By the way—I'll need a place here in New York. Something low-profile but secure. I don't want to keep staying at hotels."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Looking to settle in?"
"Something like that."
She tapped her manicured fingers against the desk thoughtfully. "The club has a property in Tribeca. Originally a hotel—it was converted into a private mansion on the upper floors. Business rentals on the first. Basement has a huge open space. It's technically a safe house. Quiet. Secure. We use it sometimes for meetings or emergencies."
Glenn smirked. "Sounds perfect. Reserve it for me."
"Done," she said, already making a note on her tablet.
The city roared below them, oblivious to the unfolding storm.
—
After visiting Emma, Glenn drove off from Frost Enterprise with a new car handed over to him by the former. It's a white 2010 Infiniti G37 convertible given by the frost queen herself from own collection of cars. It's not overly sporty like Porsche or Lamborghini, but luxury enough for high profile person yet a little conservative. Perfect for CEO's like Emma.
As he push the gas, he could feel the roar of the engine as it starts to accelerate further yet the control was still impeccable.
"I'm starting to like this car. Wew, thank god I didn't kill her. I knew my instincts were spot on."
Minutes later, he parked the car to a nearby coffee shop in lower Manhattan. In the distance, he could already see Skye inside with her laptop typing frantically.
Ring!
The bell on the door rang but all of the people inside just ignored it except of course Skye. She remained vigilant because she knows what her doing involved sensitive information with the Rising Tide as her organization and her job partnership with a mercenary like Glenn.
Glenn smiled when he saw her looked over before approaching her.
"It's been a while, Skye. How are you doin?"
"You spoke like we haven't talked in centuries. It's just been three days for God sake."
"Come on, don't be so cold. What I mean is, we haven't met in person in a while. Virtual isn't counted."
Skye rolled her eyes in response.
"So why do you suddenly wanted to meet this time? We're having a surge of missions after your deal with Stark. A lot of them are actually green but you're just one person. We could use Illyana but I know you wouldn't let her take missions alone for now. How should we proceed? This isn't efficient, Glenn."
"Sigh, I know, I know. That's why, I'm trying to put up a team for labor divisions based on expertise."
"You going to recruit new partners?"
"New members! I've already invited two actually. First one was stubborn fool but he'll change his mind soon. The other one easily accepted. So all in all, we're five."
"Additionally, it's time to settle a place here in New York. We've got our own base." Glenn grinned as he dangle the keys of the building in front of her.
"That's awesome! How? You already have enough money to squander around?"
"Let's just say, one of our members would like to sponsor what we need. We've got a financial backer."
"So cool! I'm excited!"
Then she remembered something that bothers her after the fight in Los Angeles.
SHIELD manage to track her because of a stupid digital mistake. She was traced through the comms sigal with Glenn.
Next, she could see Phil Coulson, knocking on her there.
"What's wrong? I didn't know you had a talent. Your face skin color can change from normal to gradient black."
However, Skye didn't laugh at his joke. She sighed and finally said, "SHIELD found me."
"Oh.. are you in some kind of trouble?" Glenn asked with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"No, not like that. One of them, Phil Coulson was now ware I'm the one behind your missions. He tried to recruit me."
"Oh? That was a bit too early... maybe it's because of me." Glenn muttered in low voice.
"What?"
"Nothing, Ahem! So... Did you accept?"
"I haven't given my answer yet. That's why I wanted to consult you first."
"Accept it."
"I know we've been partners for years wait, what?"
"Accept it. Come on, if you hadn't consider it, you wouldn't even mention it to me."
Skye remained silent.
"Look, I know you're hesitant because you're considering my feelings. I appreciate that but I have a plan. Besides, I can see it in your eyes. The thirst for thrill and adventure. You can't stay behind the screen anymore. You wanted to be part of the main force, not just the support."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Nope, I only recognize it because I have the same eyes. Look."
Glenn controlled his pupil to go separate ways which made Skye burst into laughter.
"So what's the plan?"
"You will be my double agent. Hehehe. Once you are there, they will train you."
"Double agent? Are we going to be enemies with SHIELD now?"
"No, not SHIELD. But a snake lurking within. There's an evil organization within SHIELD who wants to dominate the world. It was their old enemy but SHIELD hadn't realized that they have been compromised. So I want you to infiltrate SHIELD and watch out for those snakes. I'll give you a list of names and their positions so you'll be aware of them. You have to memorize them and burn the note, okay?"
"Wow, it's a lot to take in. It sounds terrifying and exciting at the same time."
"I know you can do it. If you can't take it anymore, just call my untraceable number and I'll get you out of that shit hole."
"With you saying that, I feel relieved. Okay, I'll do it."
"You have to endure not being in contact with us, okay? At least not until you can handle your own affairs, you know what I mean."
"But what about you? Who will handle your missions?"
"Oh that. Don't worry about it. I'll think of a way."
"Are you sure?"
"Uhuh, I have an idea. Looks like we're gonna need a Jarvis sooner."